2023 Vuelta a Espana - Angliru to Madrid

Arrive to Madrid at your leisure. A complimentary airport pick-up from Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) can be arranged at 2:00 PM to take you to your hotel. 

Our mechanic is available to help you assemble your bike and will fit your bike if you have rented one from us.  Over dinner this evening, our guides will review the logistics of your Vuelta cycling adventure.

Bike boxes

Please note that we have planned for bike boxes and bags to be left in Madrid for the duration of the tour to avoid them taking up space in our tour vehicles.

Sleep: H10 Puerto de Alcala Madrid

Transfer to Las Caldas near Oviedo in Asturias

Join our tour in Madrid today. A complimentary airport pick-up from Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)at 11:00 AM can be arranged to take you to your hotel. We will depart Madrid from our hotel (H10 Puerto de Alcala Madrid) at 2:00 PM. Please ensure that you are on time as we will not be able to delay our departure.

If you are travelling with a boxed bike, please leave enough time to build your bike as we will store your bike box in Madrid for the duration of the tour. Our staff are happy to assist you.

Bike boxes

Please note that we have planned for bike boxes and bags to be left in Madrid for the duration of the tour to avoid them taking up space in our tour vehicles.

Our base for the next 5 nights is Las Caldas Villa Termal hotel located just 5 miles outside Oviedo in a prime location for Vuelta access.

On arrival this afternoon, enjoy the hotel’s facilities which include:

• Outdoor swimming pool
• Spa and Wellness facilities (some services payable locally)
• Fitness center

Bike rental

If you have rented a bike from us we will fit you this afternoon.

Highlights:

• Transfer from Madrid to Oviedo
• Rental Bike fitting
• Relax at the hotel pool or Spa
• Dinner at the hotel
• Hotel: Balneario Las Caldas

Las Caldas in Asturias

Today is all about taking advantage of the Vuelta rest day. Whether you are a photographer, nature lover, hiker, or cyclist, everyone must visit Lagos de Covadonga (lago = lake). The majestic lakes at the summit are worth the work you will put in on this guided ride!

In the morning we will drive 45 minutes towards the Cantabrian Sea. 

Our first climb, the impressive Mirador del Fito, will get your legs going with 4.3 miles at an average grade of 7.9%.  The snaking road up to this lookout and the Asturian coastline view will amaze you!

After descending to the base of Picos de Europa National Park, we will begin 8.7 miles of constant climbing (7% average) to the towering limestone peaks and the lakes.  There is a challenging stretch of 1.8 miles where grades hover around 11%.  No less than 21 epic stage finishes have taken place on these same roads since first included in 1983.  You are surely in good company completing this ride today! 

Highlights:

• Ride Lagos de Cavodonga: 47 miles | 7217 ft 
• Dinner at the hotel
• Hotel: Balneario Las Caldas

Picos de Europa

We thought we would never see the day with a stage finish up to Bejes. It is a narrow mountain road that winds to a remote landscape, well known to the Asturian mountain bike scene. Logistically it will challenge La Vuelta organizers to set-up the finish line and it will be a unique experience for spectators.

Today’s ride will start in Llanes, a coastal town with plenty of charm. A quick coffee and we’ll be off in search of quiet roads up to ‘Alto de la Torneria’.  With an average grade of  5%, the 5.5 mile climb steepens in the final 1.25 miles to a constant 10% grind. Be sure to take in and enjoy the coastal views in the first few miles as the finish is likely to involve plenty of head down, bum up.

Big mountain views of the ‘Naranjo de Bulnes’ peak are enjoyed along a scintillating 7-mile stretch of deep canyon road called Desfiladero de la Hermida. The desfiladero (gorge/canyon) brings you all the way to the base of Bejes where, with this new Vuelta climb, there will surely be some explosive attacks. After a short 3.7-mile climb (8.5% average grade) with a challenging 15% graded section between miles 1.8 – 2.8, we will be roadside to watch Vuelta history before a 2-hour drive back to our hotel.

Highlights:

• Ride: 53 miles | 6561 ft
• Watch: Bejes climb
• Dinner at the hotel
• Sleep: Balneario Las Caldas

Angliru

You’ve heard about it and today you will ride it!  A short 30 minute drive to Nava and you will be at the start of today’s ride, the challenging final 50 miles of Stage 17.  We will pedal it out together to the L’Angliru summit finish!

Your official VIP race pass will get you to a strategic position on the Angliru climb. You choose if you want to ride to the summit or stop at the halfway point and go straight to the VIP area. Due to its extreme difficulty, reaching the Angliru summit is not for everyone, but being here to watch Stage 17 LIVE is! 

First introduced by La Vuelta organizers in 1999, we put El Alto del Angliru  in the top 3 of all European road cycling climbs. With an average grade of 10.2 over 7.8 miles and half a dozen extended ramps raging between 19 to 23.5%, this is the stage to witness!

Enjoy dinner at our hotel tonight and some well-deserved rest for your legs. 

Highlights:

• Ride: 34 miles | 6233 ft or 50 miles | 8202 ft 
• Watch: Finish Hospitality on the Angliru climb
• Dinner at the hotel
• Sleep: Balneario Las Caldas

La Cruz de Linares

Today, our ride rolls-out from our hotel and within 12 miles we encounter ‘El Cordal”, the famous climb which typically precedes any Angliru assault.  After yesterday’s climb, the constant 5.5 mile climb (6% average grade) will seem easy!  Shortly after this climb, our route links up with ‘La Cobertoria’ for 2 miles and before the summit, ‘El Gamoniteiru’ can be added to today’s climbing roster.  The 4.6 miles and nearly 2000 ft of elevation of “El Gamoniteiru” finishes up to a dead-end and will be optional for those who relish the challenge.

As we continue towards the edge of the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park, our cycling route follows the valley behind the massive l’Angliru massif in search of ‘La Cruz de Linares’ climb. This Stage 18 summit finish will be rolled-out for the first time in 2024. La Cruz de Linares is a 4.3 mile climb with 8.9% average grade. The first 2.5 miles average 11% and watching the finish live here will be race defining.

After the finish, choose to take a transfer back to our hotel or ride 15 miles, mostly downhill and flat, to round out your epic day of riding.

Highlights:

• Ride: 44 miles | 6561 ft or 53 miles | 8530 ft 
• Watch: Finish at Cruz de Linares
• Dinner at the hotel
• Hotel: Balneario Las Caldas

Avila

This morning we will depart Asturias and stay one night in the walled town of Avila. With the Asturian mountains now a distant silhouette, a gentle cycle through the plains of Castille & Leon will be a nice reprieve. Today’s ride starts in Astorga, famous for its strategic position along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and passes Gaudi’s ‘Palacio Episcopal’. The 31-mile cycling route will finish in La Bañeza to watch the start of Stage 19 from the VIP enclosure. After the finish we drive 2 hours from La Bañeza to Avila for some rest.

Highlights

• Ride: 31 miles | 985 ft
• Watch: Start Village Access and Race Finish
• Hotel: Hotel Palacio de los Velada in Avila
• Dinner at the hotel

Guadarrama mountains

The Guadarrama mountains immediately north of Madrid historically shape the final Vuelta podium positions.  This year will be no different, with a stage of intense racing planned to include ten Category 3 climbs over more than 125 miles. Our base will be close to Robledo de Chavela where the race will pass by 3 times.  Post-stage we will drive one hour to Madrid.

In Madrid, your bike and bike box will be reunited, and we will assist with packing your bike for travel. 

Highlights:

• Ride: 62 miles | 4921 ft 
• Watch: 3 LIVE race viewings
• Hotel: H10 Puerto de Alcala Madrid
• Dinner on your own in Madrid

Madrid

This morning, enjoy a 2.5-hour leisurely city bike tour through the heart of Madrid. With its many small interconnecting one-way lanes, it is a bike commuters’ dream! The route will include the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol and the Retiro park. Post-ride we invite you for a Tapas lunch in the heart of the city center. Hybrid bike rental included.

As the sun starts to set over Paseo de la Castellana (Spain’s version of the Champs Elysees) the wizz of the wheels returns to Madrid. After many difficult mountain stages, the sprinters have the final say in determining the winner of this stage and the race. The post-race celebrations around the Cibeles fountain are spectacular and a fitting way to celebrate your own Vuelta tour. 

Neptuno Hospitality

Three weeks of intense, emotional racing comes to an end in Madrid. Celebrate the final miles of this awesome race on an urban circuit that allows viewing from many vantage points. 

This year, the riders will cross the finish-line for the first time around 4:00 PM and again for the last time at approximately 5:30 PM.

• Ideal location next to the finish line
• Great view of the race
• Race broadcast live on plasma TV screens
• Gourmet cocktail
• Open bar all afternoon
• Exclusive “La Vuelta” gift

Highlights

• Ride: City bike tour
• Watch: Neptuno Finish Hospitality
• Meals: Tapas Lunch, Neptuno hospitality (snacks).  Dinner on your own in Madrid.
• Hotel: H10 Puerto de Alcala Madrid

Madrid

Following breakfast, a transfer to Madrid airport is available for flights leaving after 2:00PM.